Mom crossed border illegally but wants family to stay together

Comments

Yes, the immigration laws need to be changed from the way Ted Kennedy left them.
They already prefer poorly educated people from poor countries. My great grand
parents could not get into the country today even though they could speak both
German and French. Karl was a locomotive engineer but that wouldn't get
him into the country today because he was European. Ted didn't want
anymore educated immigrants they couldn't count on voting as they were
told. Ted didn't even want passive Canadians.So let's fix the
laws and bring in the best and brightest not the most diverse. Let's
encourage those with advanced degrees to stay here instead of return to their
birth countries. Let's make a law that is in our national interest and
let's do it now.

RichardBMurray, UT

Feb. 20, 2013 12:28 p.m.

It's very difficult to be compassionate with anyone, when for years we have
ignored compassion towards ourselves.

Americans must be
compassionate for ourselves, because no one else is.

Say No to BOMapleton, UT

Feb. 20, 2013 10:03 a.m.

@CabezamanI feel compelled to correct the impression you left about
current immigration policy. We issue a million green cards a year,about 65% of
which are for family unification purposes. A much smaller group is admitted on
a skills-based criterion.Obviously, these green cards are not being issued
in the self-interest of our economy.Those admitted are competing
head-to-head with our teens and low-skill poor who need jobs.And we
immediately offer our social services.A large number of immigrants are
from Mexico, despite its small size and relative prosperity. This is due to the
chain migration policies that exist today.Our immigration policy also
admits refugees and asylees.So, I would beg to differ with your comment
that, "US Immigration policy has been driven by fear, prejudice, and the
self-interest of those in power."

Harley RiderSmall Town, CT

Feb. 20, 2013 8:34 a.m.

Well the law clearly states - you have to follow the process to a T. And that
process is a series of steps and if all requirements are met, you become a legal
citizen. Now that law also says that if you are here illegally then you are to
be deported, no matter what Obama says and his pity party henchmen.

The Swiss have the perfect immigration policy - You must have $20,000 in the
bank , You must have full medical coverage . And why is that - cause they do not
want to tax their system and have their citizens pay for those who have paid
nothing into that system . You must have a trade or profession that will be of
benefit. If & this is a BIG IF -the employment rate of Switzerland goes
above 5% - deported you are

Your quote is off badly. the the land goes to
Gentiles, Jewish. and Laminate. God will leadt them and raise them up at their
time.

How can a person use Gods words, and them be so intolerant of
the citizens that are being hurt?

This lady chose to break our laws,
and leave her children behind. 10 years can add a lot of facts to a story. My
family came from Mexico (large part) legally.I have heard a lot of stories to
justify law breaking. It sounds like IC doesn't believe hers.

CabezaManCottonwood Heights, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:22 p.m.

Still compelled.

@KC Mormon – “The problem is it is not
as simple as that. What of all the people who ARE waiting in line they way they
should to come to this country legally? For every Illegal you must tell one
legal attempt they must wait. People say our system is broken, it is so hard to
come legally. Do they stop and think why that is? …their place is being
taken by those who refuse to obey the law.”

In spite of
butchering your native language, who in the world told you that’s how it
works? I assure you, US immigration policy is not based on who’s taking
whose spot illegally, but kudos for the chuckle. US Immigration policy has been
driven by fear, prejudice, and the self-interest of those in power. Do some
research and learn something about US immigration history. For crying out loud!

CabezaManCottonwood Heights, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:11 p.m.

This is a ridiculous circular argument, and all the back-and-forth is not going
to change anyone’s mind. But this Gringo feels compelled to try.

@Rlsintx “It's called the order of law, and we used to believe in
it … including my (legal) immigrant parents.” First, I think you
meant the “rule of law.” Secondly, your parents probably immigrated
under a completely different set of rules. Are you aware that there was no such
thing as “illegal immigration” until we started restricting certain
groups that began with Asians just before the beginning of the 20th Century.
Restrictions of Latin immigrants only began in the 1950s.

@joseywales
– “So, I need money right now too. It's my slow season and my
savings are almost exhausted. So I'm going to go rob a bank.”

Really ? For those who believe sympathy is limitless, that resources are
inexhaustible and wish to grant every needy person the world over a place in
America... please feel free to do so with YOUR tax dollars ONLY and have them
live ONLY in YOUR neighborhood and ATTEND only YOUR schools ! Stop extending
charity to all with other people's hard earned money and jeapordized
futures so you can bathe in your own sanctimonious soap bubbles... The primary
function of Government is to PROTECT property rights and this begins at the
Border!! Our government fails us if it fails to support the laws on the books.

wrzOgden, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:36 p.m.

This woman is shedding alligator tears. She knows that, if she can convince
enough people to let her stay and all the other illegal immigrants, which some
say number in the 20 to 30 millions, they will not have to learn English and
they can eventually vote politicians in who are sympathetic to their cause. The
end result? Our Hispanic neighbors to the south eventually will take over our
country... and not a shot was fired.

We may well be too late. We can
see the handwriting on the wall with the Obama win over Mitt Romney. Obama
announced amnesty just prior to the elections to get the Hispanic vote.
Romney's position was that illegals should self deport. Guess who won?

NeilTClearfield, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:05 p.m.

I am appalled at some of the comments on here. For those who are LDS are your
comments in agreement with the official position of the LDS church on
immigration. I seriously doubt it. America has always been a place of refuge
for the oppressed. Many claim we can't solve the worlds problems. I
diagree. We are under covenant to be charitable and care for the poor and
needy, wherever they may be. That dose not mean I support illegal immigration.
I support humanity for others. I hope the lady and her family are allowed to
stay.

localblueSandy, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 7:40 p.m.

A few have commented on my point about illogical laws. To clear any
misunderstanding, I am not saying immigration laws are illogical. I am making
the point that just because something is a law does not make it right. Many
arguments exist for enforcing immigration laws. But the least persuasive one is
"because it's the law", even though that's the one most often
stated.

milicentMansfield, Qld

Feb. 19, 2013 6:42 p.m.

It's hard to believe that so many children of undocumented immigrants that
arrived in Utah under threat of extermination can be so harsh in their attitude
towards the modern-day equivalent of their forebears.Good, I think, to
take the attitude of "this individual case is wrong, let's make it
right". Better to pass less-harsh undocumented immigrant laws in Utah.
Best to act quickly as a nation to fix what is clearly broken.

Fitness FreakSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 6:38 p.m.

@ "allblack" So what would you tell the immigrants that get in line,
pay thousands of dollars, wait years to emigrate legally?

@
"tmr" Whether illegal trespassers victimize our society collectively, or
randomly, we ALL pay the "damages".If "private property
rights" are not synonymous with "territorial rights".....Should we
have no borders at all? You do realize (I hope)that the U.S.A. IS a sovereign
nation. (It doesn't yet belong to Mexico)

Memofromademo is spot
on with his analogy.

BTW - since BOTH these posters are from
Kalyfornia, tell us, (without your rose colored glasses) how Kalyfornia, and its
budget are doing as they are the lead sanctuary state. Last time I was there,
the roads were falling apart, most sections of L.A. no one would dare walk in in
daytime, much less at night.Various posters here on the DN, that are from
Kalyfornia have referred to abysmal, or worse conditions. Based on what I
saw the sanctuary attitude isn't working out so well!

Jewell in the CrownSpanish Fork, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 6:28 p.m.

The punishment (deportation) does fit the crime. If she isn't deported,
shame on us for our lack of commonsense, the lack thereof poignantly established
by the article actually being published in a newspaper.

AmberDruXenia, OH

Feb. 19, 2013 5:59 p.m.

9 years and it's still "through the translator".....Enough already.

AmberDruXenia, OH

Feb. 19, 2013 5:55 p.m.

So they can all go home together. Problem solved!

AllBlackSan Diego, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 5:45 p.m.

@joseywales

My point was to make the punishment fit the crime. Murder
requires life sentences, breaking immigration law should have an appropriate
penalty like a fine if a judge sees that these people are already working and
living here permanently.

"If America is as bad as you say, we
should have not have 12 million illegals here"

You miss the
point again; those stats, especially the 41st place for life expectancy show
america's decline. It's not the greatest country in the world any
more. Only those so called illegals, who do want to be Americans, testify of the
countries greatness. They take many risks and sacrifice much in the hope of one
day becoming Americans. These illegals shouldn't just be kicked out because
of a misdemeanor. People have done worse, like assault, and got away with no
conviction recorded and only a fine. And the other crimes illegals commit, like
ID and social security fraud, are just a consequence of their inability to
obtain residency although they do find work and housing.

O'reallyIdaho Falls, ID

Feb. 19, 2013 5:32 p.m.

@ Paloma Sociologists are often family/marrriage counselors. They would
need to speak Spanish to communicate and counsel Spanish speaking clients, of
which there must be many if speaking Spanish is a requirement for the job. Which
brings up another issue. Why don't they learn English if they are so
grateful to be here in the US. Spanish isn't the universal language as far
as I know.

TMRLos Angeles, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 5:10 p.m.

To MemoFromA Demo: the analogy you posit about a home-break-in is absurd. It
makes no sense: U.S. territorial rights are not analogous to private property
rights. So, no - I am not going to post my address (I have had undocumented
immigrants to my home in connection with LDS church functions), although you
would be welcome to drop by (yes, even without documentation that you really are
a "Demo") for some butter, milk, bread, or whatever else you need.

NeanderthalOgden, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 4:55 p.m.

@HotGlobe:"What is more important...obeying the law or taking care of
your family?"

I think I see your point. I am making plans to rob
a bank so that I can feed my family. Thanks for the hint as to what I need to
be doing.

"What if the law is a law of privilege---some people
are entitled to more because of where they happened to be born?"

You grow where you're born. You need to watch 'Immigration
Gumballs' on YouTube.

"Don't criticize undocumented
immigrants if you would choose the same path they did if you were in their
shoes."

I would stay home and help grow the country of my origin.
That's what immigrants should do.

@raybies: "She should be
allowed to stay."

She will... Obama, who's an immigrant
himself, will see to that.

RRBSLC, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 4:55 p.m.

Several years ago I had dinner in Washington, D.C., with a former police
reporter for a California newspaper. He said those who cover the immigration
issue are "scribes," not reporters. What he meant was that whatever
illegal immigrants and their advocates say, journalists will simply write it
down verbatim and not ask tough questions normally associated with responsible
journalism.

One question that reporters (and their editors) never
consider is this one: Is it fair that while 20 million Americans can't find
full-time work, the federal government is permitting 7 million illegal
immigrants keep their non-farming payroll jobs in the construction,
manufacturing, transportation, service and hospitality industriesOur
coalition also has, to use Nichols' words, "little taste for most
editors, reporters and commentators" who comprise the "kept press"
that devotes their time to carrying water for a business community relying on
cheap and exploitable illegal foreign workers while throwing millions of
Americans under the bus

cjbBountiful, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 2:46 p.m.

She crossed the border illegally, but so too did we break Indian treaties
illegally when gold was discovered on Indian land and then go to that land
illegally to get it.

Are Republicans the party of family values as
they claim? It appears that many are and that many are not.

MemoFromA DemoSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 2:38 p.m.

To Jonathan Eddy in Payson, Utah:You quote scripture as if its incumbent
on LDS peoples to be tolerant of illegal immigrants. But don't you Mormons
also have a scripture that says something about believing that you should honor
and sustain the laws of the land? Have you conveniently forgotten to include
that in your defense of illegal activity.

And to AllBlack in San
Diego, California: You defend illegal immigrants while at the same time
trashing the United States. You cite facts such as the US is 7th in literacy,
27th in math, 48th in life expectance, 3rd in household income, then state,
"there is nothing to show that the US is the greatest nation in history,
except maybe the will of these immigrants who want to live in America."
But, please, don't leave out the rest of the story. Tell us what the
immigration laws are in the countries that rank higher than the U.S.. And
please, tell us how these illegal immigrants have put strain on our schools, --
financially and academically, -- and effected our overall performance. Like
Jonathan Eddy (see above), you only choose to tell us those things that support
your narrative.

CBSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 2:02 p.m.

There were many who have become victims of those who are here only to
'take'. As mentionedthese stories are not told. The monetary
loss, property loss, identity loss, are not told. Not to speak of the loss
of Medical, Educational, and Welfare and in many cases Social Security
benefits taken by those who do so without legal standing.If we fail to
enforce the law, it become meaningless, not only for those who are illegal, but
for citizens as well when they see it bent and twisted for those not
entitled to benefitfrom breaking it.

Paloma10Salt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:56 p.m.

To Calu: Not too many "illegal" immigrants have sociology degrees. I am
sure that they are not lining up ahead of to, to take your job. Why don't
you take a Spanish course? I took French so that I could learn a third
language, I know it's hard, but when you stretch yourself to learn another
language, you gain so much insight to people who are "different" from
you and your culture.

Sasha PachevProvo, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:14 p.m.

I signed the petition. She technically broke the law, but would you sue someone
fleeing from a gang who happens to find refuge in your home for trespassing?
Looking at the comments above some people would.

Regarding the
stealing jobs argument. American prosperity is rooted in the principles of free
market. In a free market you do not steal a job, you outbid a competitor. If you
are being outbid by a competitor that can do what you do for a lower price,
admit it to yourself and others, and do something to be better. English is not
my first language, yet I would be quite embarrassed to have to admit that my job
is being "threatened" by somebody who can barely speak it, and who may
even be illiterate in his own language.

Does our education system
produce people that cannot compete in a job market against somebody who does not
even speak our language? For $8K/year per child tax payer cost? How much hot
pepper on the rear end does it take before we stop sitting on it comfortably and
just accepting this embarrassing fact?

snowmanProvo, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:10 p.m.

There are citizens of the U.S. that live at or below the poverty level that can
not get what these illegals get.

Mary E PettySandy, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:08 p.m.

Our resolution of the US immigration law debacle will preserve America or
destroy it. The ramifications of our actions will speak volumes about who we
really are. The steps we take and leadership we give in Utah in 2013 are
critical.

Will it be "Off with your heads!" like the Queen
of Hearts told Alice for falling down the rabbit hole into her lush garden? Or
will it be an eye for an eye from our old time religion? Or will we be
Solomon-wise and offer to slice the family in half if the mother will go back
and sacrifice her life for her sons? Or will we follow the new law, "Love
one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Forgive one
another as I have forgiven you. Repent. Go thy way and sin no more."

Who are we really? It is time to show the world: fix the bad immigration
law and institute just and merciful law. If we don't, what goes around,
will come around, and then, even the lawgiver will feel the unmerciful, unjust,
unforgiving knife. We all have need of mercy and justice and forgiveness.

Jonathan EddyPayson, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:07 p.m.

D&C 49:24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall
flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.

The American continent, according to LDS scripture, is set as the land
of the Lamanite inheritance. When the Lord does come and removes man made
borders, I sure hope our Lamanite neighbors have the ability to forget the
comments made by some of these neighborly Desnews posters.

Ancestors
of European land and human conquerors may someday be begging for the same kind
of blessings as those today that are so easily denied by people of faith.

KingmanAZKingman, AZ

Feb. 19, 2013 1:02 p.m.

What bothers me about this story is that this woman doesn't speak
"English" and she has been in this country since 2003.

rlsintxPlano, TX

Feb. 19, 2013 12:58 p.m.

Go back, file papers and do it legally. Otherwise, deport any of them who are
here illegally. It's called the order of law, and we used to believe in
it in this country - including my (legal) immigrant parents.

Fitness FreakSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 12:58 p.m.

I always find it somewhat bizarre that politicians stand around trying to figure
out how to lower the unemployment rate, then, in their next breath, talk about
legalizing 20-30 million new (largely unemployed)workers.

BTW - the
11million number is the number used by the amnesty advocates. The actual
numbers of illegal immigrants is between 20-30 million. Its estimated that
Kalifornia has between 3-4 million alone!

Gov. Herbert and the Utah
legislature cackles and crows about "saving money" yet they have no
problem providing free: education, WIC, food stamps, etc. to at least 100,000
people who AREN'T supposed to be here. Apparentally theft of government
services is o.k. as long as unethical/illegal employers send in a campaign cash
donation.

joseywalesPark City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:57 a.m.

Allblack- you make it sound like why would anyone from Mexico want to come here?
I'm wondering that myself. If America is as bad as you say, we should have
not have 12 million illegals here. I mean, anyone with a brain can see that by
your standards, this is not a place to come legally, yet alone Illegally! Pay a
fine and go back to work you say? Why have laws? Maybe we should do your system
with all laws. Murder someone? Pay a fine (hopefully a large one) Rape or
assault? pay a fine! Do away with the courts! I see a money savings program here
for sure. I'm sure glad we don't have the fence built yet, we'll
save money not ripping it down. Let's just put out a video on Youtube
proclaiming that America is now open! No laws, no borders. Come one, come all.

BTW, her family has the right to be together with her back in her
country. I wonder why they don't want to go?

caluSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:56 a.m.

I am 50 years old, I earned a degree in Sociology from the U of U in 2010. I
have yet to find a job in my field with one reason I keep running into-I
don't speak Spanish. I was born in the U.S. as were my parents their
parents etc. I will never understand why we continue to allow to these people
who don't speak English ( and don't have to because it is up to us to
learn Spanish ) to stay here and take our jobs, crowd our schools, and use up
the community resources given to everybody.

AllBlackSan Diego, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 11:38 a.m.

@DN Subscriber 2

"there is nothing preventing them all from
returning ...until she can come here LEGALLY"

current US visa
application process makes it highly unlikely that she can return legally. Plus
there's about a 10 year wait to find out.

"Those who choose
to break our laws make bad choices and there are consequences for bad, or
illegal actions"

Sure, and make the punishment fit the crime
too. Let her pay the fine, and maybe forfeit any path to citizenship.

"and eventually become citizens of, the greatest nation in
history"..

Is it? The US is about 7th in literacy, 27th in math,
48th in life expectancy!, 3rd in medium household income.. It does lead the
world in persons incarcerated per capital and military spending. There is
nothing to show that the US is the greatest nation in history....EXCEPT maybe
the will of these immigrants who want to live in america, only people like this
Anna and the 12 million odd illegal residents are the only evidence that america
can still call itself 'great' but you and several more commentators
here want to deport them all?

Just make them pay the fine and go
back to work.

joseywalesPark City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:32 a.m.

I love all of these soft hearts saying "what would you do if you needed to
take care of your kids"? Well, so breaking a law is ok as long as it means
you're taking care of your family? So, I need money right now too.
It's my slow season and my savings are almost exhausted. So I'm going
to go rob a bank. That's illegal, but some of you are saying it's ok
to break laws as long as it means that I'm using the money to take care of
family. I promise I won't buy trips, cars, jewelry with it. Just food,
mortgage and monthly expenses. Who's in?

Here's the thing.
She broke the law to get here. She knowingly put herself in a predicament that
she knew someday could bite her. Too bad. I am supportive of immigration done
legally. Done illegally, there should be no bending laws just because someone
has a sob story.

Paloma10Salt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 11:23 a.m.

The problem is that she is the wrong color. This country is becoming more and
more racist. When people write of their families "legal" entry
into this country, mostly because they are coming in from a European Country.
What they fail and refuse to acknowledge is that people who are from here,
ancestraly always traveled back and forth, before the invasion of the white man,
and the fairly recent "borders". You love your rules and borders, but
as a Native American, I and many others see you as the orginal illegals.

sgnewhall, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 11:21 a.m.

Easy to resolve. Deport them all back to their country of origin.

RedShirtUSS Enterprise, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:49 a.m.

To "terra nova" if we did as you suggest, the US would be overrun with
terrorists and people who do not have the US's best interest in mind. Do
you really want to make the US less safe by turning it into the world's
dumping ground for their unwanted?

RRBSLC, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:31 a.m.

El Salavador has a wait of 2-3 years. She could of come here legally with a
little parience.

CUTSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:30 a.m.

I would like to see her stay.

Ultra BobCottonwood Heights, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:26 a.m.

As a young boy I remember my mother working long and hard to provide for our
family of 5 kids and Dad. I recall her answer to the question “What is
heaven like”. Her answer was that heaven was a place where there was
freedom from want.

Later with my wife through the last half
century, praying to a seemingly uncaring God for help with our disintegrating
family. Our family disintegrated because of the vices and economy of our
commercial world. The failure of our economy came about coincidently with
availability of cheap foreign labor.

It’s sort of like when
you are struggling to keep your head above water, some others are trying to save
themselves by pulling you under. And the people on shore are chastising you for
not helping those others.

The people who will profit from the
immigrants are the those Americans who are working to bring and keep the
immigrants.

RRBSLC, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:25 a.m.

no illegal immigrant read that plaque. It pertained to legal immigrants.

SalProvo, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:24 a.m.

Since Latins voted Democrat in the last election I have lost my sympathy for
them. I don't want to see America become another Socialist corrupt Mexico.
I don't want to see America increase its killing of the unborn. I
don't want to see my country support homosexuality.

terra novaPark City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 10:09 a.m.

"The New Colossus" is a sonnet by Emma Lazarus (1849–87), written
in 1883 and, in 1903, engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted inside the lower
level of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

Not like the
brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to
land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A
mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and
her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows
world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that
twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!"
cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of
your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

If our emigration policies
followed the sentiment of this famous poem, this woman would be allowed to stay.

Brave Sir RobinSan Diego, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 10:05 a.m.

The idea of amnesty for illegal immigrants is a slap in the face to all of us
who immigrated legally.

leroy2SANDY, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 9:59 a.m.

Notice that Mark Alvarez did not use the term illegal in his comments. My
understanding is there is no legal term of illegal immigration. I believe the
term was conjured up by those who are ignorant of the law or intentionally
inflammatory. It is interesting that in today's DesNews was also an
article about Kid's suspension from school because of zero tolerance. It
seems that those who are hired help of the government have no problem committing
stupid bad behavior in an effort to justify getting a pay check.I put the
ethics of those trying to be good way above most of government hired help. When
the government hired help could be doing good most live a life of quite
desperation and as a coward.The self labeling complainers using terms like
illegal immigration are doing no one any good. Those associated with the dream
act can be called heroes for working to fix the broken laws.

MemoFromA DemoSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 9:55 a.m.

To TMR in Los Angeles, California:

I'm interested in how
empathetic you really are. Please publicly post your home address so that we
can refer anyone who is having family problems to come to your home and live
there, even though it could be illegally. And while they are there they will
eat your food, educate themselves at your expense, and spend your money on
healthcare, etc. There is no need to tell us where you hide your house key
because they know how to pick your lock and break into your house. And because
you're so empathetic and moral, I'm certain that you won't call
the cops. But, on the other hand, maybe now that its your personal house and
your personal dollars you'll be more understanding why we have laws in our
house, -- the United States of America.

UnreligiousOmaha, NE

Feb. 19, 2013 9:17 a.m.

Like many other immigration stories that tend to focus on individuals this one
is meant to wring tears of compassion from us. Unfortunately, I find it hard to
feel too sorry for somebody who had two more kids (by who?) in this country,
probably getting medical care free to her (and costing the rest of us more) and
who knows what other benefits - food stamps, child medical care, etc.

As a country we simply can't afford to take on the rest of the
world's problems. Our parents and grandparents didn't work hard to
build this country just to feed everybody else. My father and I both served in
the military but I did it for my family and friends, not for somebody who
illegally cuts in front of those waiting their turn.

Amnesty is a
weak political method of trying to gain votes. It is unfair and stupid to admit
uneducated individuals who contribute little while at the same time refusing
admittance to highly educated engineers and scientists with advanced degrees.

Maybe I should just decide to ignore some of our laws and then
expect amnesty for whatever offense I committed just to make my life easier.

watchmanSalt Lake City, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:43 a.m.

It is unfortunate that our media uses these tear-jerking stories to try to
establish sympathy for these folks that have broken the laws and now it seems to
have caught up with them.

There are many sad stories about illegals
that have come here, had children, used our system, and now must meet the
obligations of being forced to return, but there are also many sad stories about
American citizens whose families and lives have been negatively impacted through
stolen identies and lost jobs because of the the illegal invasion. The media
does not usually tell these stories.

Yes, our immigration system is
broken but it is because we have been so lax in enforcing the laws for so many
years, not because we need more laws.

Utah DemOgden, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:33 a.m.

Just a question - is the United States really the only country in which this
family can be together? Could not this family have entered legally or
illegally,since laws do not seem to matter to them, into South America or
Mexico? They had to go quite a distant to get to New York, why there? I
married a non-US citizen who is here legally and it costs us quite a bit of
money but these folks come in illegally and then the D-News thinks they should
write stories that attempt to pull at heart strings for us to support this
illegal action, by signing a petition, to allow them to stay. Sorry, no
dice.

TMRLos Angeles, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 8:29 a.m.

This is not even a close call morally. If she is deported, shame on us for our
lack of empathy and commonsense, the lack thereof poignantly established by most
of the comments thus far (I take solace in my belief that the posts represent a
minority of D-News subscribers).

MemoFromA DemoSALT LAKE CITY, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:26 a.m.

My family and I were having problems. So I broke into a prosperous
American's home while he was away. I took advantage of all he had, -- I
ate his food, I used his health insurance benefits, and I took advantage of his
wealth to better my life. I liked it so much that I snuck my four kids into the
wealthy American's home and am now using his means to pay for my
children's education as well as their food and health care. My kids are
doing so well and they really like it here. I liked it so much that I had two
more babies with someone else who also broke into the house and is living here
illegally. The sad thing is, now I've been discovered by the heartless
American. He wants to kick us out of his home and cut us off from all
we've enjoyed. We all want to stay. Even though other of my friends have
followed the law and are doing things the right way, I feel I deserve to stay
regardless of whether or not it is illegal. Please take sympathy on me! I need
a Dream Team!

raybiesLayton, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 8:25 a.m.

She should be allowed to stay.

KC MormonEdgerton, KS

Feb. 19, 2013 8:18 a.m.

localblue,The problem is it is not as simple as that. What of all the
people who ARE waiting in line they way they should to come to this country
legally? For every Illegal you must tell one legal attempt they must wait.
People say our system is broken, it is so hard to come legally. Do they stop and
think why that is? First their place is being taken by those who refuse to
obey the law. If they disobey this law what others do they disobey? They are
working, do they have forged papers? That is identity theft, yet another
crimeSecond there are many who want to come here to harm us. Do you think
if a person can cross the border and get fake documents to work they can not do
so to kill us?Just because someone has not enforced a law in the past does
not mean we should not start now. If speed limits are not enforced and people
start getting into accidents do we say well lets create new laws or do we say
lets enforce the laws we have?

techpubsSioux City, IA

Feb. 19, 2013 8:12 a.m.

"Cañenguez also gave birth to a son and a daughter while in the U.S.,
Luisito and Katy, and they would likely stay with their father, Eusebio Granda,
a Mexican national who took Cañenguez in when she initially arrived in
Utah. The two have lived together for 10 years."

I wonder what
happened to her husband who is an alcoholic? There is no mention of him other
than the children were left with him initialy. And it would appear that she
ignored the immigration laws of Guatemala and Mexico as well as the US laws in
order to come here.

mdCache, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 7:47 a.m.

Come on, DNews. We know where you stand. Quit pushing these sob stories. How
about showing the statistics of how illegal immigration affects us all? For
every heartbreaking story, such as this, there are many stories of the illegal
who is here dealing drugs and breaking our laws. The first law they broke is
trespassing to enter the country.

We have people thrown into jail for
failure to pay taxes. Yet, breaking and entering doesn't even warrant a
sideways glance in this country.

1conservativeWEST VALLEY CITY, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 7:34 a.m.

This situation makes an excellent case for better ENFORCEMENT.

The
woman was given false hope like so many other trespassers that (somehow)they
would be able to proceed with their lawlessness - in perpetuity.

BTW
- you would be hard pressed to find 10 (legal)residents in the community of
Kearns who would sign any petition granting amnesty to illegal immigrants. Its
hard to find very many residents who haven't been victimized by illegal
trespassers; whether it be identity theft, loss of jobs, crowded schools (with
all illegals needing spanish teachers), etc.

The petition would have
undoubtedly been signed by OTHER illegal trespassers. Not legal residents.

As badly as the DN would like to portray illegal trespassing as a
"victimless" crime, - its not!

TatorsHyrum, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 7:32 a.m.

The Deseret News has a tendency to print every tough luck illegal immigration
story that comes along. At the same time, seldom do they tell the stories of
those that are effected negatively by the results of illegal immigration. They don't write about all the stolen social security numbers and the
ruined credit and the years and thousands of dollars it takes for victims to try
to fix the problem that they did nothing to incur. They don't write
about tens of billions in social costs this country incurs as a result of the
free schooling, free medicine and other free "entitlements" granted to
illegals... all given without anyone needing to admit they are here illegally.
There is a move underway in Congress to fix the Anchor-baby debacle, since
it's commonly known the law has been misunderstood and misapplied on a
grand scale.There are hundreds of millions of people world-wide who could
claim the same circumstances as these people, and who would have good intentions
of "just wanting to get ahead" by coming here. It's impossible to
accommodate everyone. That's why we have immigration laws and why they need
to be enforced.

Third try screen nameMapleton, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 7:17 a.m.

In perspective, all hype aside.From the Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
- 2011In the past decade we granted asylum to 260,951 people.2,161
of them were from El Salvador.We ought to meet some of these asylees and
hear their stories.

GregorioNorco, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 7:08 a.m.

My mother is an immigrant from Germany. She waited two years and got a sponser.
She learned the language and then married a US citizen after she legally
immigrated and received her naturalization papers. My Grandmother from Poland
did the same. I was born not as an anchor baby but was born by two US citizens
who married, who followed the law of immigration. Our laws are on the
books and need to be enforced. My father fought for these liberties in war as
does my son now as a pilot of the USAF. They risked their lives to protect our
countries laws.Please law makers and citizns, deport illegals who
willingly break our laws and punish the employers who hire them for cheap wages.
My mom worked in a US drive in for cheap wages until she received skills to work
30 years for Verizon. ENFORCE OUR RULE OF LAW. JUSTICE FOR ALL. Rules that
are broken should follow the 3 r's:1. Right of choice to obey the law
or break a law.2. Responsibility to obey laws and making right choices.3. Results of breaking the law and making a wrong choice.

EddieSyracuse, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 4:46 a.m.

I wonder just how much John Q. Taxpayer has had to fork out by way of medical
care, food stamps, etc. I am for them being allowed to come here, but all at
their own expense.

HotGlobeSAN RAFAEL, CA

Feb. 19, 2013 4:39 a.m.

What is more important...obeying the law or taking care of your family? What if
the law is a law of privilege---some people are entitled to more because of
where they happened to be born? Don't criticize undocumented immigrants if
you would choose the same path they did if you were in their shoes. Or, if you
would choose NOT to take care of your family, are you really in a position to
criticize anybody?

SundanceKid27OREM, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 1:12 a.m.

Tough topic and situation. My wife works in at a job that hires Hispanics to
work in the kitchen. This amazing work place even offers to pay for these
people to go learn English. Rarely will any of them take the paid english
classes or if they do they don't last very long. They talk Spanish all the
time and even use Spanish to Talk behind the Bosses back.

It is
hard to fix everyone's problems when they don't do the work
themselves.

wrzOgden, UT

Feb. 19, 2013 12:06 a.m.

@localblue"Throughout the history of our great nation, numerous
illogical laws have been introduced and arbitrarily enforced."

There's nothing illogical or arbitrary about our immigration laws. A
country without immigration laws is no country at all.

Certainly, the
12 or so million illegals will not be rounded up and sent home. But they should
not get jobs since we have about 12 million unemployed Americans. And our
unemployed need those jobs before they go to illegal immigrants because
Americans need to feed their families and pay the mortgage. Furthermore, our
unemployed are sucking up billions in unemployment benefits which this country
can ill afford and must borrow most of. So, without employment, illegals would
just have to return to their countries of origin and try to make the best of it
there. That's the dilemma we face with the immigration problem... If we
had full employment and needed workers the immigration problem would likely be
much smaller. So we need our immigration laws enforced regardless of how
mundane you think they are.

SLarsProvo, UT

Feb. 18, 2013 10:47 p.m.

El Salvador received amnesty in 1993. After that, a person applying for for
refugee status has to make the request at the time they entered the country.

This is why people need to be forced to follow the law. Once the
deportation comes you tend to hear all kinds of stories.

jeanie orem, UT

Feb. 18, 2013 10:05 p.m.

Yes she broke the law, but so would I if my children were in the situation hers
were in. Instead of condemning this woman why is there not a call for a better
process to let people like her in legally? There is a problem and it's
bigger than some mother showing blatant disrespect for the laws of the United
States. It should be easier for people like her to enter legally.

"...worth the wait and the work". Tell her hungry kids that.
Statements like this show a great deal of ignorance about the desperate
conditions that many people live in. Yes, come legally, but let's focus our
energy on makeing it possible for people like her with very little means to do
that instead of showing such coldness to human suffering.

localblueSandy, UT

Feb. 18, 2013 9:47 p.m.

@DNSubscriber2. While I agree with the notion that consequences follow actions,
this discussion is far more complicated than the simplistic analysis you
provide.

Throughout the history of our great nation, numerous
illogical laws have been introduced and arbitrarily enforced. Some of these
remain but are not enforced at all. The existence of a law in and of itself is
not reason to prosecute. If we don't ask why, we are no better than
animals who are forced to obey without understanding.

The issue with
immigration is well-meaning laws have not been enforced for years (as evidenced
by 13 million in the country). To arbitrarily begin to enforce now, as seems to
be the case here, can be argued a violation of one's rights as a human
being. Further, in this particular situation, the individual "broke"
the law only by doing something considered noble throughout history, seeking the
right to work to provide food for a family.

I agree immigration
reform is required and enforcement needs to be improved. But to punish previous
"offenders" who have committed no real crime seems to be cruel and
unusual. At a minimum I would argue the punishment doesn't fit the crime.

Way of the WarriorARLINGTON, WA

Feb. 18, 2013 9:40 p.m.

While all the attention is focused on Ana Cañenguez and her sons, I wonder,
will her employer in Tremonton also be held accountable?

snowmanProvo, UT

Feb. 18, 2013 9:27 p.m.

She should have thought about that earlier.

DN Subscriber 2SLC, UT

Feb. 18, 2013 8:57 p.m.

A touching story, told for emotional value, by the "Salt Lake Dream
Team."

Maybe an "American Dream Team" should tell this
unfortunate woman and her friends a few facts.

The family can indeed
stay together, and there is nothing preventing them all from returning to the
mother's homeland until she can come here LEGALLY.

The fact the
she has illegally entered twice shows that she knew the law, and the risks, but
chose illegal action instead of entering via the legal process. Bad choice.
There are two children, U.S. citizens by birth, much to their advantage. Many
would argue that the entire notion of birthright citizenship to women here
illegally needs to be ended, as they are often exploited as cruelly named
"anchor babies."

An American Dream Team would like to urge
foreigners to respect our laws, enter legally, and they will be welcomed to live
in, and eventually become citizens of, the greatest nation in history.

Those who choose to break our laws make bad choices and there are consequences
for bad, or illegal actions. Your suffering should be a lesson to others that
legally entering the U.S. is worth the wait and work.